The water supply for the mining town of Alyangula on Groote Eylandt comes from a pump station 18 kilometres away on a creek adjacent to the Angurugu indigenous community. Various facilities associated with BHP Billington's GEMCO manganese operations and the communities draw water along the way and the remainder terminates in large storage tanks above the township.
HydroPlan designed the replacement for the 35 year old 16" DICL pipeline which was severely corroded. After assessing alternatives, including sensitivity to future demand and energy scenarios, DN450 PE100 PN12.5 polyethylene was chosen. Challenges included haul roads, bridges, creeks, continuity of supply and alignment constraints.
The pipeline was designed by HydroPlan for Greene in 2010 and constructed by Redline in 2012.
